Method for painting a plurality of articles

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for painting articles such as fishing lures, and the like. The articles to be painted are placed on a plurality of blocks movably secured to a plurality of carriage members which are connected together to form a continuous chain thereof. The chain of carriage members is movably secured to a continuous track, and is intermittently advanced over the track. As the articles are advanced, they are painted with paints of preselected color in preselected patterns, and the paint is dried and baked onto the articles. The painted and dried articles are then automatically removed from the apparatus.

a United States Patent Morrison Oct. 29, 1974 [54] METHOD FOR PAINTING APLURALITY 3,060,057 10/1962 Johnson ll8/64l X 0 R L S 3,280,795 10/1966Zipperlin 118/324 X 3,434,458 3/1969 Huff et al 118/301 [75] lnvemoriJimmie Morrison, Norman 3,594,211 7/1971 Drum 117/43 Okla' FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73 Ass'gnee' Smrm Manufacmmg Company 618,597 21949 Great Britain 118/301 Norman, Okla we [22] Filed: Oct. 1, 1971Primary Examiner-William D. Martin [211 App No 185 587 AssistantExaminer-M. R. Lusignan a Y j, Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dunlap, Laney,Hessin,

Dougherty & Codding Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser.NO. 813,643, April 4, 1969, Pat. No. ABSTRACT 3 13 The present inventionrelates to methods and apparatus for painting articles such as fishinglures, and the U.S. R, The articles to be painted are placed on aplural- 1 18/3011 1 18/324, 118/503 ity of blocks movably secured to aplurality of carriage [5 lnt. members are connected together to form acon- Field 0f Search 104 tinuous chain thereof. The chain of carriagemembers i 641, 642 is movably secured to a continuous track, and isintermittently advanced over the track. As the articles are ReferencesCited advanced, they are painted with paints of preselected UNITEDSTATES PATENTS color in preselected patterns, and the paint is dried729,512 5/1903 Sejnoha et a1. 118/324 x and baked Onto the articles- ThePainted and dried 1, 4 402 4 1923 Dewey U ticles are then automaticallyremoved from the appal,894,729 1/1933 ratus.

7 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures 3,040,701 1962 Minnick etal.... 118 301 11ALITY OF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thepresent invention relates generally to apparatus for painting articles,and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to apparatus forpainting articles, such as fishing lures and the like, wherein thearticles are advanced over a continuous track past means for paintingand drying the articles by a continuous chain of carriage members.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many various types of apparatus havebeen developed for automatically and continuously painting articles.However, prior to the present invention, apparatus has not beenavailable for painting articles which must be painted with a pluralityof different colored paints in specific patterns, and on different areasof the articles.

For example, articles such as fishing lures must be painted with aminimum of two different colors of paint, and the paint must be appliedin patterns to simulate the scales and other distinguishing features offish. The painting of fishing lures must be accomplished with great carein that the success of a particular lure in catching fish depends solelyon the similarity of the lure to a live bait.

The present invention provides apparatus for automatically andcontinuously painting articles, such as fishing lures, with a pluralityof different colored paints in specific patterns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus forpainting articles such as fishing lures and the like which comprises aframe having a continuous elongated track attached thereto. A pluralityof carriage members, connected together to form a continuous chainthereof, are movably secured to the track, and means for advancing thechain of carriage members over the track are attached to the frame.Means for supporting the articles to be painted are attached to thecarriage members, and means for painting the articles as the articlesare advanced along the track are attached to the frame. Means for dryingthe painted articles, and means for removing the painted and driedarticles from the apparatus, are provided. Methods for painting articlesare also provided by the present invention.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to providemethods and apparatus for painting articles.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of methods andapparatus for painting articles such as fishing lures and the like,wherein said articles are automatically painted with a plurality ofpaints of different colors.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of methodsand apparatusfor painting articles such as fishing lures and the likewherein specific patterns using different colored paints are paintedthereon.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision ofmethods and apparatus for painting articles such as fishing lures andthe like wherein limited areas on the articles may be painted in avariety of colors.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision ofapparatus for painting articles wherein the articles are automaticallypainted and the paint is automatically dried and baked on the articles.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision ofmethods and apparatus for painting articles wherein a great number ofsaid articles may be effectively painted and dried in a relatively shorttime.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofthe apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a fishing lure painted by the apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view in cross section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view in cross section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in cross section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view in cross section taken along line 77 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a view in cross section taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a view partially in section taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the latching assembly of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a view in cross section taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a view in diagrammatic form of a part of the controlapparatus and pneumatic circuitry of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a view in diagrammatic form of a portion of the patternpainting assembly in a first position and the pneumatic circuitryrelating thereto;

FIG. 16 is a view of a portion of the pattern painting assembly andpneumatic circuitry relating thereto in a second position;

FIG. I7 is a view in diagrammatic form of a portion of the limited areapainting assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a view in cross section taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17;and

FIG. 19 is a view in cross section of the drive and taken along line19-19 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingsand particularly to FIGS. I and 3, the apparatus of the presentinvention is generally designated by the numeral 10. The apparatus It)basically comprises a frame 12 having a plurality of carriage members 14supported thereon. Carriage members 14 are connected together to form acontinuous chain 16 thereof which is movably secured to a continuoustrack attached to frame 12, generally designated by the numeral 18.Track 18, which will be further described herein, is basically comprisedof a pair of elongated horizontal parallel plates 20 and 22 (FIG. 3)rigidly attached to frame 12 one above the other, a drive pulley member24 rotatably attached to the forward end 26 of frame 12, and an idlerpulley member 28 rotatably attached to the rearward end 30 of frame 12.Drive pulley member 24 engages the chain 16 of carriage members 14 andis intermittently rotated so that chain 16 is intermittently advancedover track 18.

A block 32 having a plurality of arms 33 for supporting an article to bepainted thereon is secured to each of carriage members 14. The articlesto be painted are placed on arms 33 of blocks 32, and are advanced alongtrack 18 by the chain 16.

A plurality of spray painting guns for painting said articles with aplurality of paints of different colors, a plurality of paint shieldassemblies, an assembly for painting specific patterns on said articles,and an assemblies for painting limited areas of said articles as saidarticles are advanced along track 18, are positioned adjacent to and onboth sides of a first portion 36 of track 18.

A plurality of electric heaters 38 are positioned adjacent to and onboth sides of a second portion 40 of track 18 for drying the articleswhich have been painted, and for baking the paint onto the articles.

The painted and dried articles are removed from arms 33 of blocks 32 byan assembly positioned adjacent to a third portion 44 of track 18.

While passing over a fourth portion 46 of track 18, the arms 33 ofblocks 32 are passed through a body of fluid for removing excess painttherefrom which is conlined in a container 48 attached to frame 12. Thearms 33 are then passed through a plurality of brushes 50 at-- tached toframe 12, and dried where upon additional lures may be placed thereon.

A plurality of paint storage containers 52 having pneumatic paintstirring devices 54 attached thereto are attached to frame 12.

A hood 54 having an air blower (not shown) attached thereto is attachedto frame 12 for removing excess paint from the atmosphere surroundingthe apparatus 10.

A pneumatic timer 56 and control panel 58 are attached to frame 12 atthe forward end 26 thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first portion 36 of track 18 iscomprised of an elongated plate 20 attached to frame 12 in a horizontalplane having a flat top surface 60, and parallel sides 62 and 64. Anelongated side member 66, of angular cross section, having a verticalleg 68 and a horizontal leg 70 is attached to side 62 of plate 20. Asecond elongated side member 72, identical to side member 66, having avertical leg 74 and a horizontal leg 76 is attached to side 64 of plate20. Vertical legs 68 and 74 of side members 66 and 72 are attached toplate 20, and the horizontal legs 70 and 76 of side members 66 and 72face one another.

Portions 40, 44 and 46 of track 18 are comprised of an elongated flatplate 22 identical to plate 20 attached to frame 12 in a horizontalplane directly below plate 20. A pair of elongated side members 80 and82, identical to side members 66 and 72 are attached to plate 22 in thesame meanner as described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, each of carriage members 14basically comprises a bar 84, of rectangular shape in cross section,having a forward end 86 and a rearward end 88. The forward end 86 of bar84 includes a vertical slot 90 therein, and a bore 92 positionedperpendicularly to slot 90. The rearward end 88 of block 84 is formed inthe shape of a vertical tongue 94 having a bore 96 therein of the samediameter as bore 92. Bores 92 and 96 are positioned in bar 84 so thatwhen a plurality of the bars 84 are positioned together in the mannerillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, with tongues 94 fitted into slots 90,bores 92 and 96 are adjacent to and aligned with each other.

Bars 84 of carriage members 14 are fitted together in the mannerdescribed above, and a plurality of shafts 98 are positioned in thebores 92 and 96. A plurality of roller members 100 are secured to theends of shafts 98, with conventional bearings 102 disposed between theends of shafts 98 and rollers 100. Thus, a continuous chain 16 ofcarriage members 14 is formed.

The chain 16 of carriage members 14 is disposed within portions 36, 40,44 and 46 of track 18, and over drive pulley 24 and idler pulley 28 asillustrated in FIG. 1. The side members and 72 of portion 30 of track18, and the sides and 82 of the portions 40, 44 and 46 of track 18 holdchain 16 within track 18. As chain 16 is advanced over portion 36 oftrack 18, rollers roll on the surface 60 of plate 20. As chain 16 is advanced over portions 40, 44 and 46 of track 18, rollers 100 roll on thehorizontal legs of side members 80 and 82. As will also be understood,chain 16 is disposed over track 18, drive pulley member 24, and idlerpulley member 28 in a tight manner so that there is a minimum of slackin chain 16.

Each of bars 84 of carriage members 14 include a first vertical bore 104therein, positioned adjacent to the forward end 86 thereof, and a secondvertical bore 106, positioned near the rearward end 88 thereof. A block32 is slidably secured to each of bars 84 by a solid shaft 108 rigidlyattached to block 32 and slidably disposed within bore 104, and by ahollow shaft rigidly secured in bore 106 of bar 84 and slidablypositioned in a vertical bore 112 of block 32. A spring 114 is disposedover the outside of hollow shaft between bar 84 and block 32. A spring116 is disposed within shaft 110 and bore 112 of block 32, secured atthe lower end 118 thereof to shaft 110 by a pin 120 extending throughthe sides of shaft 110. The upper end 117 of spring 116 is secured toblock 32 by a pin 122 which is in turn secured to the top of block 32 bya conventional washer 124 disposed within a groove in pin 122. Verticalshaft 108 is free to slide in bore 104 of bar 84, and shaft 110 is freeto slide within bore 112 of block 32. Thus, it may be seen that each ofblocks 32 are free to move in directions perpendicular to the directionof movement of carriage members 14, but are prevented from movingotherwise. Springs 114 and 116 work against each other to maintainblocks 32 in a neutral position a distance from carriage members 14.

As can be seen best in FIGS. 4 and 5, a shield 126 is secured to each ofbars 84 of carriage members 14 to prevent paint and dirt from enteringthe inside of track 18.

A plurality of arms 33 for supporting the articles to be painted by theapparatus of the present invention are attached to each of blocks 32.The number, size and shape of the arms 33 may be varied in accordancewith the size and shape of the particular articles to be painted. Forpurposes of this disclosure, let it be assumed that fishing lures of theshape illustrated in FIG. 2 are to be painted. Referring to FIG. 2, thefishing lures are comprised of a body 128 having metal eyelets 134disposed therein at the forward end, the rearward end and a lower middleportion thereof. As will be understood, eyelets 134 are used forattaching hooks, etc., to the fishing lure body after it is painted.Referring again to FIG. 3, each of blocks 32 includes a forwardsupporting arm 138 rigidly attached to block 32, a rearward supportingarm 140 rigidly attached to block 32 and a middle supporting arm 142slidably secured in a vertical bore 144 extending through block 32. Eachof arms 138 and 140 include V-shaped notches at the upper ends thereof(not shown) for receiving forward and rearward eyelets 134 of thefishing lures 128. Arm 142 is comprised of a lower portion 146 extendingthrough bore 144 and an upper portion 150. Upper portion 150 is formedin the shape of a hook at the upper end thereof for engaging middleeyelet 134.

Lower portion 146 of arm 142 extendsbelow block 32 to a point near, butnot contacting shield 126 when block 32 is in the neutral positiondescribed above. A spring 148 is disposed over lower portion 146 of arm142 within bore 144. The upper end of spring 148 rests against ashoulder 152 formed within bore 144, and the lower end of spring 148 issecured to lower portion 146 of arm 142 by a conventional washer 154secured in a groove therein. A stop member 156 is secured to arm 142above block 32. Thus, the lure 128 may be positioned on arms 138 and1411, and arm 134 hooked into middle eyelet 134. The spring 148 allowsarm 142 to be raised vertically so that the lure 128 may be placed onarms 138, 140 and 142, and automatically removed therefrom, as will bedescribed further herein.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of identical shieldmembers 156 and 158 are positioned opposite one another and attached toside members 66 and 72 of the portion 36 of track 18. Where it isdesirable to move the articles being painted in directions perpendicularto the direction of movement of chain 16, cam members 160 are providedattached to shield members 156 and 158. As can be best seen in FIG. 4,each of blocks 132 includes a pair of cam follower members 162 attachedto opposite sides thereof in a plane parallel to track 18. A pair ofidentical cam members 160 are provided opposite one another at desiredpoints along track 18, positioned so that cam follower members 162 areengaged thereby. As will be understood, the cam surfaces of cam members166 are formed in a shape which will impart an upward movement to blocks32 as blocks 32 are advanced along portion 36 of track 18.

PAINT SHIELD ASSEMBLIES Continuing to refer to FIGS. 3 and 4, means forshielding lower portions of the articles being painted are provided bythe present invention generally designated by the numeral 164. Each ofthe shield assemblies 164 basically comprises a pair of parallel arms166, removably secured to frame 12, and positioned between track 18 andone of spray painting guns 34. A cylindrical roller is rotatablyattached to arms 166 at a position between the portion of the articlesto be shielded and the paint spraying gun 34. A pair of verticalparallel support plates 170 are attached to frame 12 positioned belowarms 166. A roll of elongated paper 172 is rotatably securedbetween andto support plates 170. A conventional paper guide roller assembly 174 isrotatably secured between and to plates 170. and a conventional paperdrive roller assembly 176 is attached between and to support plates 170.Guide roller assembly 174 includes a conventional spring loaded frictionplate device attached thereto (not shown), so that tension is maintainedon the paper advanced therethrough. A drive shaft attached to paperdrive assembly 176 extends through one of support plates and a chaindrive assembly 178 is attached thereto. A pair of drive shafts 180 and182 are rotatably attached to frame 12 throughout the length of frame12. Drive shafts 180 and 182 are driven by an air motor 184 (FIG. 1) inopposite directions as indicated by arrows 186 (FIG. 4). Chain driveassembly 178 is attached to drive shaft 180. A portion of the paper fromroll 172 is threaded through paper guide assembly 174, over cylindricalroller 168 and through paper drive assembly 176. Thus, as paper driveassembly 176 is rotated by drive shaft 1811, a supply of paper iscontinuously advanced over cylindrical roller 168, and a shield isprovided between paint gun 34 and the lower portion of the articlesbeing painted.

PAINTED ARTICLE REMOVING ASSEMBLY Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 7, theassembly for removing articles from blocks 32 which have been paintedand dried is illustrated. When the chain 16 of carriage members 14passes over drive pulley member 24 and on to portion 40 of track 18, thecarriage members 14, blocks 32 and fishing lures painted are in anupside down position. The painted lures are passed over portion 40 oftrack 18 through a plurality of conventional electric heaters 38,positioned on both sides of portion 48 of track 18, thereby drying thepaint. The painted and dried lures are then advanced onto portion 44 oftrack 18.

A pair of parallel support bars 190, positioned opposite one another ina horizontal plane are attached to frame 12. Support members 190 arepositioned such that cam members 162 of blocks 32 rest thereon. At apoint beneath portion 44 of track 18 support members 198 extend upwardlyfor a short distance and level off at a position closer to track 18.Thus, blocks 32 to move closer to carriage members 14, which in turncauses the lower portions 146 of arms 142 (FIG. 5) to be contacted byshields 126 of carriage members 14 thereby moving arms 142 towards thelures. That is, as the blocks 32 are moved upwardly by support members911, arms 142 are moved downwardly so that the lures are moved away fromsupport arms 138 and 140 as illustrated in FIG. 3. A bar 192 (FIG. 4) ispivotally attached to frame 12 at a level adjacent to the lures. Bar 192is positioned at the point along portion 44 of track 18 where blocks 32are raised by support members 190. Bar 192 is attached to a member 194which is in turn pivotally secured to a horizontal member 196.Horizontal member 196 is attached to frame 12. A conventional aircylinder 198 is attached to frame 12, with the piston arm 2011 thereofpivotally attached to member 194. As each of blocks 32 is raised bysupport members 1911 thereby lowering support arm 142, bar 192 is movedinto contact with the lure by air cylinder 198. The lure is therebyknocked loose from arm 142. The lure, thus removed, falls onto a tray202 from where it slides into a container positioned under tray 202 (notshown). Thus, as each painted and dried lure is advanced over portion 44of track 18 it is automatically removed from the apparatus 10.

PATTERN PAINTING ASSEMBLY Referring now to FIGS. 3, 8 and 9, theassembly for painting specific patterns on the articles advanced overtrack 18 is illustrated. Two identical pattern painting assemblies,generally designated by the numerals 204 and 282, are provided onopposite sides of track 18 so that patterns may be painted on both sidesof the articles. Both assemblies 204 and 282 are attached to a carriagemember 208 which is slidably secured to an elongated horizontal bar 206,of rectangular shape, rigidly attached to frame 12 directly belowportion 36 of track 18. The carriage member 208 is slidably supported onthe top portion of bar 206 so that carriage member 208 is free to slidein directions parallel to track 18. Since assemblies 204 and 208 areidentical, assembly 204 will be described herein, it being understoodthat the description applies equally to assembly 282.

A pair of parallel support arms 210 are attached to carriage member 208on one side 212 thereof. Support arms 210 extend upwardly adjacent toone side of track 18 to a point about track 18. A cylindrical roller 214is rotatably attached between and to arms 210 at the upper ends thereof.A pair of parallel support plates 216 are attached to the side 218 ofcarriage member 208, and a vertical plate 220 is attached to the top ofparallel support plates 216. Plate 220 extends upwardly adjacent to theother side of track 18, opposite from parallel arms 210, to a pointabove track 18. A roll 222 of elongated template material 223 isrotatably attached between plates 216. The template material 223 ifformed in the shape of a specific pattern to be painted on the articlespassing over track 18. In the case where the articles to be painted arefishing lures, template material 223 is formed in the shape of a net sothat a pattern simulating scales will be painted on the lures (FIG. 2).

A conventional drive roller assembly 224 is rotatably secured betweenand to plates 216, driven by an air motor 226. An idler guide roller 228is rotatably attached between and to parallel support members 210 at apoint beneath track 18. The elongated template material-223 is passedunder guide roller 228, vertically upwards past track 18 and over roller214. The template material 223 is then passed over the outside surfaceof plate 220, and through drive roller assembly 224. Thus, as driveroller assembly 24 is rotated by air motor 226, the template material223 is advanced over roller 214.

A spray painting gun 34 is attached to frame 12, and is positioned atthe level of the articles to be painted advanced over track 18. A papershield assembly 230, identical to paper shield assembly 164 previouslydescribed, is attached to frame 12 so that it is positioned betweenspray painting gun 34 and the lower portions of the articles to bepainted.

A latching assembly, generally designated by the numeral 232, isattached to parallel arms 210 at a position above track 18, so that aseach of blocks 32 advances to a point adjacent to latching assembly 232,one of the cam members 162 thereof is latched into latching assembly232.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, latching assembly 232 is illustrated.Latching assembly 232 basically comprises a bar 234 of rectangular shapein cross section having a forward end 236 and a rearward end 238. Bar234 includes a groove 240 of rectangular shape in cross section in oneside 242 thereof, said groove extending from the forward end 236 to therearward end 238 of bar 234. A slot 244, positioned perpendicularly togroove 240 in the side 242 of bar 234 extends upwardly from groove 240.A latching member 246 is pivotally secured in slot 244 by a bolt 248.The lower end 250 of latching member 246 extends into groove 240, and aspring member 252 is disposed over the upper end 254 of latching member246 so that a force must be applied to latching member 246 in order forit to be pivoted. The lower end of latching member 246 includes a notch256 therein.

Referring again to FIG. 8, latching assembly 232 is attached to parallelarms 210, and positioned so that as each of blocks 32 is advanced to apoint adjacent the rearward end 238 of block 234, one of cam members 162attached to the blocks 32 will enter groove 240. As the block 32 isadvanced further, cam member 162 will come into contact with latchingmember 246 causing latching member 246 to be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction. When the cam member 162 enters notch 256 oflatching member 246, it will become latched in notch 256 by the forceapplied to latching member 246 by spring 252. Thus, as each of blocks 32are advanced along track 18, one of cam members 162 thereof will belatched into latching assembly 232. Therefore, carriage member 208 andthe apparatus attached thereto will tend to advance forwardly with eachof blocks 32.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an air cylinder 260 is attached to frame 12below bar 206. A first cable 262 is attached to air cylinder 260, and isdisposed over a pair of rollers 264 which are attached to bar 206. Theother end of cable 262 is attached to the rearward end 209 of carriagemember 208. A second cable 270 is attached to the forward end 211 ofcarriage member 208, and is disposed over a pair of rollers 266 attachedto bar 206. The other end of cable 270 is attached to the piston arm 268of air cylinder 260. Thus, as piston arm 268 of air cylinder 260 ismoved in one direction, carriage member 208 and the apparatus attachedthereto will be moved in the opposite direction, and vice versa.

Air cylinder 260 is provided to move carriage member 208 and theapparatus attached thereto forwardly simultaneously with each of theblocks 32 latched into latching assembly 232. Air cylinder 260 alsomoves carriage member 208 back to its original position after carriagemember 208 has been advanced with each block 82. A mechanically actuatedair relay 272, which will be described further herein, is attached tocarriage member 208 for actuating air cylinder 260.

The force of air cylinder 260 moving carriage member 208 rearwardlycauses each of the blocks 32 to be unlatched from latching assembly 232.

In order to provide movement to carriage member 208, the apparatusattached thereto, and each of blocks 32, in directions perpendicular tothe direction of movement of the chain 16, a pair of slots 274 areprovided in bar 206. Slots 274 are identical, and are shaped to providemovement in a direction perpendicular to track 18 to a pair of camfollowers 276 when said cam followers 276 are extended therethrough. Ascan best be seen in FIG. 3, cam followers 276 are the piston arms of apair of conventional air cylinders 278, which are attached to a pair ofvertical arms 280 attached to carriage member 208. Cam followers 276 areinserted into slots 274 by air cylinders 278 just prior to the for wardmovement of carriage member 208. As carriage member 208 is movedforwardly, carriage member 208 and the apparatus attached thereto,including the block 32 latched into latching assembly 232, aresimultaneously moved upwardly as cams 276 pass over the surfaces ofslots 274. Upon reaching a forward stop 258 attached to bar 206, the cammembers 276 are retracted from slots 274, and carriage member 208 andthe apparatus attached thereto is moved by air cylinder 260 horizontallyrearwardly to a position against rearward stop 259 attached to bar 206.

As will be understood, pattern painting assemblies 204 and 282 are movedpast spray painting guns 34 simultaneously with the article beingpainted so that the paint is continuously shielded from the article bytem plate material 223, and the desired pattern is painted thereon. Byshielding lower portions of the articles with shield assemblies 230, andraising and lowering the article as it is moved forwardly, a patternformed in the shape of an arc will result such as is illustrated on thelure 128 of FIG. 2.

LIMITED AREA PAINTING ASSEMBLIES Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, oneof the limited area painting assemblies attached to frame 12 isillustrated, and is generally designated by the numeral 284. Assembly284 is comprised of a support plate 286 attached to frame 12 at aposition'below track 18 in a vertical plane perpendicular to track 18. Aroller 288 of template material 298 is rotatably secured to plate 286,and is connected to a drive shaft 290 extending therethrough. A drivechain assembly 292 is connected to drive shaft 290 and to drive shaft180 previously described. A conventional friction plate assembly (notshown) is disposed between drive shaft 290 and roller 288.

A pair of parallel plates 300 are attached to frame 12 at the upper ends302 thereof above track 18, and are attached to shield members 158 and156 of track 18 at the lower ends 304 thereof. Plates 300 are positionedin vertical planes perpendicular to track 18, and each includes anelongated vertical opening 306 therein so that blocks 32 and thearticles to be painted supported thereon may be passed through openings306. The elongated template material 298 is provided with a plurality ofequally spaced holes 294 therein along each of the sides thereof. Acylindrical drive roller 308, having a set of teeth at each end aroundthe periphery thereof for engaging the holes 294 in template material298, is rotatably secured between plates 300 at the upper ends 302thereof. A pair of guide rollers 310 are rotatably secured betweenplates 300 on opposite sides of the openings 306, and a pair of guideplates 312 are attached to each of plates 300 above guide rollers 310. Aspool 314 for receiving template material 298 is rotatably secured toplate 286 on the opposite side from roller 288. Spool 314 is connectedby a drive shaft 316 to a drive chain assembly 318 which is in turnconnected to drive shaft 182, previously described. An elongated bar 320is pivotally attached to plate 286 at one end, and an idler roller 322is rotatably attached to the other end thereof.

The template material 298 is passed from roll 288, over one of guiderollers 310, under guide plates 312 on one side of the plates 300, andover roller 308. From roller 308 the template material 298 is passedunder the second pair of guide plates 312 on the other side of theplates 300, over the other guide roller 310, under guide roller 322 andonto reel 314. Guide plates 312 function to hold portions 311 and 313 oftemplate material 298 vertically parallel to each other.

Drive roller 308 is connected to a drive shaft 326. Drive shaft 326 isconnected to a cam 544, which will be described further herein. Cam 544is connected by a drive shaft 328 to a drive chain assembly 330. Drivechain assembly 330 is connected to a conventional pneumatic clutchassembly 332, which is in turn connected to drive motor 184.

As drive roller 308 is rotated, the template material 298 is advancedover drive roller 308. As template material 298 is advanced roller 288is turned clockwise against a friction plate assembly which is beingturned counterclockwise by chain assembly 292. Thus, template material298 is continuously maintained in tension between roller 288 and driveroller 308. As the template material 298 is advanced, slack betweendrive roller 308 and reel 316 is taken up by idler roller 322 which isfree to move upwardly and downwardly. Reel 314 is turnedcounterclockwise by drive chain assembly 318 at a slower rate thantemplate material 298 is advanced. However, tension is maintained on theportion of template material 298 between idler roller 322 and driveroller 308 by the weight of idler 322.

A pair of spray painting guns 34 are attached to frame 12, and arepositioned adjacent to portions 311 and 313 of template material 298.

Template material 298 includes a plurality of openings 334 therein,formed in the shape of the limited area to be painted on the articlesadvanced over track 18. Assuming again that fishing lures are beingpainted, the openings 334 in template material 298 are in circular formfor painting the outline of an eyeball on each side of the lures. Aswill be understood, three limited area painting assemblies are used forpainting eyes on fishing lures, i.e., one for the eyeball outline, onefor the eyeball itself, and one for the eye pupil.

The distance between the openings 334 in the template material 298 iscoordinated with the amount of template material 298 advanced over driveroller 308 so that a pair of the openings 334 are always positionedopposite one another in the portions 311 and 313 of template material298 adjacent to spray painting guns 34.

As will be described further herein, template material 298 is advancedby drive roller 308 once each time 20 articles have been painted. Thatis after 20 articles have been painted through template material 298,fresh template material is positioned between spray painting guns 34 andthe articles being painted.

In order to accurately position each article to be painted between theportions 311 and 313 of template material 298 at the level of spray guns34 and aligned openings 334, a bar 336 is pivotally attached to theinside of shield 156. The bar 336 includes a groove 338 extendingthroughout the length of bar 336 for engaging a cam member 162 of eachof blocks 32 as blocks 32 are advanced over track 18. A conventional aircylinder 340 is attached to frame 12 having the piston arm 342 thereofattached to bar 336 by a bolt 344 which extends through a slot (notshown) in shield member 156. Thus, as each of blocks 32 is advanced to apoint adjacent spray guns 34 and stopped, air cylinder 340 raises bar336 thereby raising the block 32 upwardly. Thus,

the article to be painted is raised upwardly between the portions 311and 313 of template material and between spray painting guns 34. A bar335 is attached to shield member 156 on the outside thereof, positionedabove piston arm 342 of air cylinder 340. A bolt 337 threadedly securedin a vertical bore in bar 335 is adjusted to limit the travel of pistonarm 342 and the height to which the article to be painted is raised.Spray painting guns 34 are activated after the article to be painted israised without portions 311 and 313 of template material 298 so thatpaint is sprayed onto the template material and through the openings 334of the template material thereby painting a limited area on both sidesof the article.

DRIVE APPARATUS As previously described, an air motor 184 is providedfor driving drive shafts 180 and 182. Drive shafts 180 and 182 are usedto advance the paper supply over the paper shield assemblies attached toapparatus 10, to advance the template material in the pattern paintingassemblies, etc. Drive motor 184 is also used to rotate drive roller 308of the limited area painting assemblies described above. This aspect ofthe limited area painting assemblies will be described further herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 19, the chain 16 of carriage members 14 isadvanced over track 18 by drive pulley member 24. As will be describedfurther herein, chain 16 is advanced intermittently. That is, chain 16is repeatedly advanced a specific distance and stopped.

Drive pulley member 24 is comprised of a pair of parallel circularplates 350, (FIG. 19) held apart by a plurality of shafts 352 attachedbetween and to the plates 350. As can best be seen in FIG. 14, each ofplates 350 includes a plurality of notches 354 around the peripherythereof. The plates 350 are positioned together so that the notches 354therein are positioned adjacent one another. The notches 354 are spacedaround the periphery of the plates 350, and are of a size so that therollers 100 of the chain 16 of carriage members 14 are engaged bynotches 354 as drive pulley member 24 is rotated.

Referring again to FIG. 19, plate 350 rotatably secured to shaft 356 byconventional bearing member 358. Plate 351 is rotatably secured to aslip clutch assembly 360 by conventional bearing 362. Slip clutchassembly is comprised of a sleeve 364 which is rigidly held on shaft 356by key 366. A pair of opposed friction plates 368 and 370 are disposedover sleeve 364 on opposite sides of plate 351. Friction plate 368 isheld adjacent to plate 351 by the flange 372 of sleeve 364. Frictionplate 370 is held against the other side of plate 351 by a spring 374which is forced against friction plate 370 by a circulate plate 376threadedly secured on sleeve 364. Thus, the friction plate assembly 360may be adjusted by threading plate 376 inwardly towards plate 351thereby increasing the spring tension against friction plate 370, andvice versa. Shaft 356 is rotatably secured to frame 12 and is attachedto an air operated drive motor 378. Thus, the slip clutch assembly 300of drive pulley member 24 prevent the apparatus 10 from being damaged ifclaim 16 becomes caught along track 18 when air motor 378 is rotatingshaft 356.

CONTROL APPARATUS AND PNEUMATIC CIRCUITRY Referring now to FIG. 14, theapparatus and associated pneumatic circuitry for intermittentlyadvancing and stopping chain 16, controlling spray painting guns 34, thepainting assemblies, etc., is illustrated. A supply of compressed air ata pressure of approximately 200 pounds is led through conduit 400,through a conventional shut-off valve 402 into a conduit 404. A conduit408 is connected to conduit 404 and to a header 410. A conventionalpressure regulator 406 is disposed within conduit 408. Header 410 ispositioned along the length of apparatus 10, and is attached to each ofpaint containers 52 (FIG. 1) by individual conduits (not shown).Pressure regulator 406 is set to control the pressure in header 410 andwithin each of paint containers 52 at approximately 20 to 40 psig. Aswill be understood, pressure is maintained on each of containers 52 inorder to force paint out of paint containers 52 into the spray guns 34through hoses (not shown).

A conduit 412 is connected to conduit 404 and to a header 414. Aconventional pressure regulator 416 is disposed within conduit 412. Eachof pneumatically driven paint stirring devices 54 attached to paintcontainers 52 are connected to header 414 by hoses (not shown). Pressureregulator 416 is adjusted to maintain the pressure in header 414 at alevel which will efficiently operate paint stirring devices 54.

A conduit 420 is connected to conduit 404 and to a header 422 which isattached to frame 12 of apparatus 10. A pressure regulator 424 isdisposed within conduit 420. Pressure regulator 424 is set to maintain ahigh pressure of approximately 100 psig. in header 422 which is used asa source of high pressure air for continuously operating high pressurespray guns if used on apparatus 10.

A conduit 426 is connected to conduit 404 having a pressure regulator428 disposed therein. Pressure regulator 428 is set to maintain arelatively low pressure such as psig. in conduit 426. A conduit 430 isattached to conduit 426 and is attached to a header 432. Header 432 isattached to frame 12 of apparatus 10 throughout the length of frame 12and is used to activate spray guns and other painting assemblies onapparatus 10 during the periods when chain 16 of carriage members 14 isstopped. A control valve 434 for inter mittently exhausting the air fromheader 432, and pressuring up header 432 is disposed in conduit 430.

A conduit 436 is attached to conduit 426 and is attached to a header438. Header 438 is attached to frame 12 throughout the length of frame12, and is used to activate spray painting guns 34, and other paintingassemblies attached to apparatus 10 during the periods when chain 16 isbeing advanced over track 18. A conventional control valve 440 isdisposed within conduit 436 for intermittently exhausting and pressuringup header 438.

A conduit 442 is attached to conduit 426 and attached to a header 444.Header 444 is attached to frame 12 along the length of frame 12 and isused as a source of low pressure air for operating low pressure spraypainting guns and other painting apparatus attached to apparatus 10.

TIMER 56 Referring still to FIG. 14, timer 56 is'illustrated indiagrammatic form. Timer 56 is basically comprised of a shaft 450 havinga plurality-of circular cam members 452 attached thereto. A conventionalcam actuated pilot valve 454 is positioned adjacent to each of cammembers 452. Cam members 452 and pilot valves 454 are of a conventionaltype wherein pilot valves 454 may be in an open position or a closedposition for any desired length of time during one revolution of theshaft 450.

A conduit 456 is attached to conduit 404, and a conventional pressureregulator 458 is disposed therein. Pressure regulator 458 is set tomaintain a pressure of approximately 80 psig in conduit 456. A conduit460 is attached to conduit 456 for leading a supply of air to drivemotor 378 attached to drive pulley member 24. A control valve 462 isdisposed in conduit 460 for intermittently starting and stopping theflow of air to air motor 378. A conduit 464 is connected to conduit 456for conducting a supply of air to each of pilot valves 454.

A conduit 466 is connected to conduit 456 for conducting a supply of airto drive mtor 468. A conventional pressure regulator 470 is disposed inconduit 466 for adjusting the speed of drive motor 468. Drive motor 468is a conventional air operated motor and is attached to shaft 450 forrotating shaft 450. All of the pressure regulators described above andrelated conduits are disposed within control panel 58 attached to from12 of apparatus l0. Air filters, air heaters, oilers, etc. are alsoprovided where required.

A pilot valve 480 is connected to control valve 362. When pilot valve480 is in the open position air is supplied to control valve 462 whichin turn allows air to pass through conduit 460 to drive motor 378. Drivemotor 378 rotates drive pulley member 24 and advances chain 16. Whenpilot valve 480 is in the closed position, control valve 462 is closedthereby exhausting the air from air motor 378 and stopping drive pulleymember 24 and chain 16.

Pilot valve 482 is connected to control valve 440. When pilot valve 484is in the open position control valve 444 allows air to pass into header438 thereby pressuring up header 438. When pilot valve 484 is in theclosed position, control valve 440 will close, exhausting the air fromheader 438.

Pilot valve 486 is connected to control valve 434 so that when pilotvalve 486 is open. header 432 will be pressured up, and when pilot valve486 is closed, control valve 434 will close exhausting the air fromheader 432.

Timer 56 is set to control the apparatus in 2 cycles During Cycle I thearticles to be painted are being advanced past spray painting guns whichare activated by air pressure from the Moving Cycle Header 438. DuringCycle II, the articles are stopped, and certain spray painting guns andpainting assemblies are activated by air pressure from the Stop CycleHeader 432, such as the limited area painting assemblies.

As will be understood. additional cams and pilot valves may be providedin timer 56 for individually controlling spray painting guns or anyother pneumatically controlled aspect of the painting assembliesdescribed above. Also, timer 56 may be set to control apparatus indifferent cycles from those described above.

PATTERN PAINTING ASSEMBLY Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, the controlappa ratus and pneumatic circuitry associated with the pattern paintingassembly is shown in diagrammatic form. As previously described, aircylinders 278 are attached to carriage member 208 which slides over bar206. Air cylinder 260 is attached to frame 12 and moves carriage member208 forwardly with each of blocks 32 as they are advanced along track18, and moves carriage member 208 rearwardly when the blocks 32 arestopped.

Air relay 272, previously described, includes an elongated actuating arm500 extending therethrough having a forward end 502 and a rearward end504; When carriage member 208 has been moved to the forward position,the forward end 502 of arm 500 contacts a stop 506 attached to frame 12,and the arm 500 is moved rearwardly (FIG. 15). A supply of air,conducted to relay 272 from the low pressure header 444 previouslydescribed, is conducted through relay 272 to each of air cylinders 278causing cam members 278 to be retracted from slots 274 of bar 206. Airis simultaneously supplied to air cylinder 260 which will move pistonarm 268 rearwardly, simultaneously moving carriage member 208 to therearward position.

When carriage member 208 is moved to the rearward position, the rearwardend 504 of arm 500 is contacted by a stop 508 attached to frame 12causing arm 500 to be moved forwardly. The supply of air conducted torelay 272 will then be supplied to the other ends of air cylinders 278causing cam members 276 to be inserted into slots 274 of bar 206. A pairof mechanically actuated pilot valves 510 and 512 are provided-adjacentcam members 276 so that when cam members 276 are extended through slots274, pilot valves 510 and 512 are opened. Once both of pilot valves 510and 512 are opened, air is supplied to the other end of air cylinder260, thereby causing air cylinder 260 to move carriage 208 forwardlywith cam members 276 extended into slots 274.

Pilot valves 510 and 512 insure that air cylinder 260 is not energizedand carriage member 208 moved forwardly until both of cam members 276have been inserted through slots 274.

Thus it may be seen that air cylinder 260 is energized and ready to movecarriage motor 208 forwardly each time the blocks 32 are advanced bychain 16. When the blocks 32 are advanced, air cylinder 260 movescarriage member 208 forwardly and over the cam surfaces of slots 274 inbar 206 simultaneously. As soon as carriage member 208 reaches theforward position, air cylinder 260 moves carriage member 208horizontally rearwardly so that latching assembly 232 is latched on tothe next of blocks 32.

LIMITED AREA PAINTING ASSEMBLIES Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, thecontrol apparatus associated with each of the limited area of paintingassemblies described above is illustrated in diagrammatic form. A springloaded pneumatic cylinder 520 is attached to frame 12 and connected tothe moving cycle header 438 by a conduit 522. Thus, air pres sure issupplied to air cylinder 520 during each moving cycle and piston arm 524is moved upwardly. Each time piston arm 524 of air cylinder 520 is movedupwardly it engages a ratchet-type cam 256 rotatably attached to frame12. A normally closed cam follower actuated pilot valve 528 ispositioned adjacent to cam 526 with the cam follower thereof riding oncam 526. Cam 526 is provided with 20 teeth which are engaged by arm 524of air cylinder 520 so that cam 526 is moved one 360 revolution andpilot valve 528 is opened once every 20 cycles.

Pilot valve 528 is connected to low pressure header 444 by a conduit530, and when pilot valve 528 is in the open position, air is conductedthrough pilot valve 528 into conduits 532, 534 and 536.

Conduit 536 is connected to conventional pneumatic clutch assembly 332,previously mentioned, which is in turn connected to drive motor 184. Aconduit 538 is connected to conduit 536 and to a spring loaded aircylinder 540. A normally open time delay valve 542 is disposed inconduit 536, and conduit 534 is connected to the actuator of time delayvalve 542 which is arranged so that after a short period of time, theair pressure exerted on actuator 534 will cause time delay valve 542 tobe closed.

A cam member 544 is attached to shaft 326 which is in turn attached todrive cylinder 308 for advancing the template material 298 of thelimited area painting assemblies, previously described. A cam actuatedpilot valve 546 is positioned adjacent to cam member 544 with the camfollower thereof riding on cam 544, and conduit 532 is connectedthereto. A conduit 548 is connected to pilot valve 546 and to pneumaticclutch assembly 332. A check valve 550 is disposed in conduit 536 sothat air pressure is prevented from backflowing through conduit 536 frompneumatic clutch assembly 332. Cam member 544 is connected to chaindrive assembly 330 by shaft 338 which has a conventional friction plateassembly 552 disposed therein.

Referring to FIG. 16, cam member 544 includes a semicircular slot 552disposed in the side thereof facing air cylinder 540. Air cylinder 540is positioned adjacent to cam member 544 so that when the piston arm 554thereof is extended it may enter slot 552. When piston arm 554 of aircylinder 540 is in the retracted position, cam 544 is free to rotate.However, when piston arm 554 is extended with cam member 544 rotating inthe direction indicated by the arrow (FIG. 16). Piston arm 544 willenter slot 552 at the forward end 553 thereof, and slide along slot 552until it reaches the rearward end 555 thereof, whereupon cam 554 will beprevented from rotating further until piston arm 554 is again retracted.The cam surface of cam 554 is formed in a shape which will cause pilotvalve 546 to be closed when cam 544 is stopped by piston arm 554.

In operation, pilot valve 528is activated by cam 526 once every 20cycles. That is, after chain 16 has been advanced and stopped 20 times,pilot valve 528 will be opened. When pilot valve 528 is opened, airpasses through conduit 530 from low pressure header 444 into theconduits 532, 536 and 534. Since time delay valve 542 is normally openair will be conducted by conduit 536 through check valve 550 into thepneumatic clutch assembly 532, and through conduit 538 into air cylinder540. Pneumatic clutch assembly 532 will be activated so that drive motor184 is connected to chain drive assembly 330, rotating shaft 328. At thesame time piston arm 554 of air cylinder 540 will be retracted from slot552, allowing shaft 326 to be rotated. As cam member 554 and shaft 326are rotated, time delay valve 542 will close, and conduits 536 and 538will be exhausted. Thus, piston arm 554 of air cylinder 540 will bemoved forwardly, but since cam member 554 has been rotated, piston arm554 will rest on the smooth surface of cam member 44 adjacent to slot552. Due to the initial rotation of cam member 544, pilot valve 546 willbe in the open position, and air pressure will be supplied throughconduit 548 to penumatic clutch assembly 332. Thus, cam member 544 andshaft 326 will continue to rotate and piston arm 540 will ride againstthe smooth surface of cam 544 until slot 552 is moved to a pointadjacent piston arm 554. Piston arm 554 will then drop into the forwardend 553 of slot 552, and as cam member 554 is rotated further, pistonarm 554 will slide in slot 552, to the rearward end 555 of slot 552.Thus, when one full rotation of cam 554 has been completed, cam 544 willbe stopped. At the same time pilot valve 546 will be closed by cam 544,exhausting air from pneumatic clutch assembly 332 so that chain driveassembly 330 is disengaged from drive motor 184. Thus, it may be seenthat drive cylinder member 308 may be rotated one complete revolution ora number of revolutions each time chain 16 has been advanced and stopped20 times thereby advancing a fresh supply of template material overdrive cylinder 308.

OPERATION Let it be assumed that the articles to be painted are fishinglures of the type illustrated in FIG 2. The fishing lures are manuallyplaced on the supporting arms 33 of each of blocks 32 in the mannerdescribed above as chain 16 of carriage members 14 are advanced overtrack 18. As described above, the chain 16 is repeatedly advanced aspecific distance distance and stopped. As chain 16 is advanced (CycleI) the Moving Cycle Header is pressured up within, and the Stop CycleHeader is exhausted. When chain 16 is stopped (Cycle II) the MovingCycle Header is exhausted and the Stop Cycle Header is pressured up. Thespray painting guns 34, operated intermittently, are positioned alongtrack 18 so that the fishing lures to be painted are stopped just priorto the spray painting guns, and advanced past the spray painting gunsbefore they are again stopped. The intermittent spray painting gums 34are controlled with air from the moving cycle header so that paint issprayed therefrom only during Cycle I. The limited area paintingassembly spray painting guns are activated during cycle II by airpressure from the Stop Cycle Header.

Referring to FIG. 2, let it be assumed that a plurality of fishing luresof the type illustrated are to be painted as follows: a black stripe 600across the top, a black eyeball outline 602, a silver eyeball 604, ablack pupil 606, a red stripe 608 below the black stripe 600 with ablack scale pattern thereon, a silver stripe 610 below the red stripe608 wit-h a white scale pattern thereon, and a white stripe 6H2 belowthe silver stripe 610.

To carry out the painting of the lures in the above manner, thefollowing paint guns and other painting assemblies are positioned alongtrack 18 as shown in FIG. 1 in the order given.

I. A spray painting gun 620 on each side of track 18 for painting eachlure white all over.

2. A spray painting gun and paper shield assembly 622 on each side oftrack 18 for painting a black stripe on the top one-third portion ofeach lure.

3. A pattern painting assembly 622 for painting the top two-thirds ofeach side of each lure silver in a scale pattern. As will be understood,the scales are painted and the scale outlines are not so that the scaleoutlines on the top one-third of each lure are black, and the scaleoutlines in the middle portion of each lure are white.

4. A spray painting gun and a paper shield assembly 624 on each side oftrack 18 for painting a red stripe over the silver scales on the topone-third of each side of each lure. A transparent red paint is usedwhich will cover the silver paint already on each lure, but which willallow the black scale outlines to show through.

5. A spray painting gun and a paper shield assembly 626 on each side oftrack 18 for painting a black stripe across the top of each side of eachlure. A set of cams I60 are provided for raising each lure as it isadvanced past assemblies 626 thereby causing the black strip paintedthereon to be formed in the shape of an arc.

6. A limited area painting assembly 628 for painting a black eyeballoutline on each side of each lure.

7. A limited area painting assembly 63 for painting a silver eyeball oneach side of each lure.

8. A limited area painting assembly 632 for painting a black pupil oneach side of each lure.

9. A spray painting gun 634 on each side of track 18 for painting eachlure all over with a protective clear paint.

The painted lures are advanced over portion 40 of track 18 where thepaint is dried and baked onto the lures. The lures are removed from theapparatus as they are advanced over portion 44 of track 18, and excesspaint is removed from the arms 33 of each block 32 while being advancedover portion 46 of track l8.

The apparatus of the present invention can paint from 8,000 to 12,000lures in an 8 hour time period in the colors and patterns describedabove.

As will be understood, a plurality of any small identical articles maybe painted with a variety of colored paints in variety of selectedpatterns by the apparatus of the present invention.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out theobjects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as thoseinherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments are given forthe purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in the details ofconstruction of parts can be made which will readily suggest themselvesto those skilled in the art and which are encompassed within the spiritof the invention disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of painting limited areas on a plurality of articles, suchas fishing lures and the like, which comprises the steps of:

supporting said articles for independent movement on a plurality ofcarriage members;

advancing said carriage members and articles supported thereon over atrack;

stopping each of said carriage members and articles supported thereonadjacent to a template positioned parallel to said track and formed inthe shape of the limited area to be painted on said articles;

painting each of said articles through said template with paint directedfrom a stationary source as said articles are stopped and stationary sothat a limited area is painted on each article without smearing or lackof definition of the painted area on the article; and

advancing each of said carriage members and said article supportedthereon after each of said articles has been painted.

2. A method of painting a plurality of articles which comprises thesteps of:

supporting said articles for movement independently of each other on acontinuous chain of carriage members;

advancing said chain of carriage members and said articles over acontinuous track;

intermittently stopping said chain of carriage members and articlessupported thereon to maintain, during intermittent periods, saidarticles in a stationary position;

painting limited areas on said articles when said articles are stopped,using a stationary paint source to paint the stationary articles andthereby avoid smearing or lack of definition of the paint applied tosaid article;

drying said painted articles to said articles are advanced over saidtrack; and

automatically removing said painted and dried articles from saidcontinuous chain of carriage members.

3. A method of painting a plurality of articles which comprises thesteps of:

independently supporting said articles on a continuous chain of carriagemembers;

advancing said chain of carriage members and said articles over acontinuous track;

painting said articles as said articles are advanced over said trackwhile concurrently shielding arcuate portions of each of said articlesto prevent such shielded portions from being painted as said articlesare advanced over said track in an arcuate movement;

drying said painted articles as said articles are advanced over saidtrack; and

automatically removing said painted and dried articles from saidcontinuous chain of carriage members.

4. A method of painting specific patterns on a plurality of articles,such as fishing lures and the like which comprises the steps of:

supporting said articles for independent movement on a plurality ofcarriage members whereby said articles can be independently treated inthe individual painting thereof at different times during the movementof the articles by said carriage members;

advancing said carriage members and articles supported thereon along atrack;

simultaneously advancing a template formed in the shape of a specificpattern parallel to each of said articles as each of said articles isadvanced over a portion of said track; and

painting each of said articles from a stationary paint source throughsaid template as said article and template are advanced so that saidpattern is painted on each of said articles 5. The method of claim 4which is further character ized to include the step of moving saidarticle and template in directions perpendicular to the direction ofmovement of said carriage members as said article and template areadvanced concurrently with the carriage movement whereby paint directedagainst the article will paint an are on the article as the article ismoved through an are.

6. The method of claim 4 which is further characterized to include thestep of concurrently shielding portions of said articles from beingpainted as said articles and template are advanced.

7. A method of painting a plurality of fishing lures which comprises:

supporting said lures for movement independently of each other on aplurality of carriage members; advancing said carriage members and saidlures supported thereon over an elongated track;

painting both sides of said lures with a paint of a first color as saidlures are advanced over a first portion of said track;

painting the top one-third portions of both sides of said lures with apaint of a second color as said lures are advanced over a second portionof said track;

painting the top two-thirds portion of both sides of said lures with apaint of a third color while shielding the top two-thirds portion ofboth sides of said lures with a template formed in the pattern of fishscales as said lures are advanced over a third portion of said track;

painting the top one-third portion of both sides of said lures with atransparent paint of a fourth color as said lures are advanced over afourth portion of said track;

painting a thin stripe over the top portion of both sides of said lureswith a paint of said second color as said lures are advanced over afifth portion of said track;

painting a limited area in the shape of an eye on both sides of saidlures with paint of said second color as said lures are advanced over asixth portion of said track;

painting a limited area in the shape of an eyeball on both sides of saidlures with a paint of said third color as said lures are advanced over aseventh portion of said track;

painting a limited area in the shape of an eyeball pupil on both sidesof said lures with a paint of said second color as said lures areadvanced over an eighth portion of said track;

drying said painted lures as said lures are advanced over a ninthportion of said track; and

removing said painted and dried lures from said carriage members as saidlures are advanced over a tenth portion of said track.

1. A METHOD OF PAINTING LIMITED AREAS ON A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES, SUCHAS FISHING LURES AND THE LIKE, WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: SUPPORTINGSAID ARTICLES FOR INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT ON A PLURALITY OF CARRIAGEMEMBERS; ADVANCING SAID CARRIAGE MEMBERS AND ARTICLES SUPPORTED THEREONOVER A TRACK; STOPPING EACH OF SAID CARRIAGE MEMBERS AND ARTICLES SUPPORTED THEREON ADJACENT TO A TEMPLATE POSITIONED PARALLEL TO SAID TRACKAND FORMED IN THE SHAPE OF THE LIMITED AREA TO BE PAINTED ON SAIDARTICLES; PAINTING EACH OF SAID ARTICLES THROUGH SAID TEMPLATE WITHPAINT DIRECTED FROM A STATIONARY SOURCE AS SAID ARTICLES ARE STOPPED ANDSTATIONARY SO THAT A LIMITED AREA IS PAINTED ON EACH ARTICLE WITHOUTSMEARING OR LACK OF DEFINITION OF THE PAINTED AREA ON THE ARTICLE; ANDADVANCING EACH OF SAID CARRIAGE MEMBERS AND SAID ARTICLE SUPPORTEDTHEREON AFTER EACH OF SAID ARTICLE HAS BEEN PAINTED.
 2. A method ofpainting a plurality of articles which comprises the steps of:supporting said articles for movement independently of each other on acontinuous chain of carriage members; advancing said chain of carriagemembers and said articles over a continuous track; intermittentlystopping said chain of carriage members and articles supported thereonto maintain, during intermittent periods, said articles in a stationaryposition; painting limited areas on said articles when said articles arestopped, using a stationary paint source to paint the stationaryarticles and thereby avoid smearing or lack of definition of the paintapplied to said article; drying said painted articles to said articlesare advanced over said track; and automatically removing said paintedand dried articles from said continuous chain of carriage members.
 3. Amethod of painting a plurality of articles which comprises the steps of:independently supporting said articles on a continuous chain of carriagemembers; advancing said chain of carriage members and said articles overa continuous track; painting said articles as said articles are advancedover said track while concurrently shielding arcuate portions of each ofsaid articles to prevent such shielded portions from being painted assaid articles are advanced over said track in an arcuate movement;drying said painted articles as said articles are advanced over saidtrack; and automatically removing said painted and dried articles fromsaid continuous chain of carriage members.
 4. A method of paintingspecific patterns on a plurality of articles, such as fishing lures andthe like which comprises the steps of: supporting said articles forindependent movement on a plurality of carriage members whereby saidarticles can be independently treated in the individual painting thereofat different times during the movement of the articles by said carriagemembers; advancing said carriage members and articles supported thereonalong a track; simultaneously advancing a template formed in the shapeof a specific pattern parallel to each of said articles as each of saidarticles is advanced over a portion of said track; and painting each ofsaid articles from a stationary paint source through said template assaid article and template are advanced so that said pattern is paintedon each of said articles.
 5. The method of claim 4 which is furthercharacterized to include the step of moving said article and template indirections perpendicular to the direction of movement of said carriagemembers as said article and template are advanced concurrently with thecarriage movement whereby paint directed against the article will paintan arc on the article as the article is moved through an arc.
 6. Themethod of claim 4 which is further characterized to include the step ofconcurrently shielding portions of said articles from being painted assaid articles and template are advanced.
 7. A method of painting aplurality of fishing lures which comprises: supporting said lures formovement independently of each other on a plurality of carriage members;advancing said carriage members and said lures supported thereon over anelongated track; painting both sides of said lures with a paint of afirst color as said lures are advanced over a first portion of saidtrack; painting the top one-third portions of both sides of said lureswith a paint of a second color as said lures are advanced over a secondportion of said track; painting the top two-thirds portion of both sidesof said lures with a paint of a third color while shielding the toptwo-thirds portion of both sides of said lures with a template formed inthe pattern of fish scales as said lures are advanced over a thirdportion of said track; painting the top one-third portion of both sidesof said lures with a transparent paint of a fourth color as said luresare advanced over a fourth portion of said track; painting a thin stripeover the top portion of both sides of said lures with a paint of saidsecond color as said lures are advanced over a fifth portion of saidtrack; painting a limited area in the shape of an eye on both sides ofsaid lures with paint of said second color as said lures are advancedover a sixth portion of said track; painting a limited area in the shapeof an eyeball on both sides of said lures with a paint of said thirdcolor as said lures are advanced over a seventh portion of said track;painting a limited area in the shape of an eyeball pupil on both sidesof said lures with a paint of said second color as said lures areadvanced over an eighth portion of said track; drying said painted luresas said lures are advanced over a ninth portion of said trAck; andremoving said painted and dried lures from said carriage members as saidlures are advanced over a tenth portion of said track.